Heat-exchange unit



July 17,1928.

A. B. MODINE HEAT EXCHANGE UNIT Filed May 28, 1926 2 Sheets-sheaf. 1

v 21% 24 75 as Jrfiha-E Medina scribed which Patented July 17, 1928.

Application filed y 88, 1926. Serial No. 112,376. I

My invention relates broadl to heat exchange devices and particular y to heat exchange units which may be em loyed as radiator cores in household heating apparatus or the like.

The invention has among its other objects the production of devices of the kind de are compact, durable, eflicient and of simple construction.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved device of thekind described wherein provision is made for contraction or expansion of the device when it is in operation.

Several forms of the invention are embodied in radiator cores, each of which comprises spaced headers or tanks communicating with each other through tubes formed of thin sheet metal, the tubes being preferablyof elongated cross section and. preferably having thin sheet metal fins secured thereto. Connecting the tanks are reinforcing members, each of which preferably has one end rigidly secured to one of the tanks and has its other end secured to the other tank in such manner that the tank is free to move relative to the first tank when the tubes shorten or elongate, due to a change in temperature. In some instances, each reinforcing member is rigidly secured to each tank and is so constructed thatit will readily elongate or shorten simultaneously with the tubes.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will .be obvious to those skilled in the art from the dislosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a plan elevation of a radiator core embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the improved radiator core Fig. 3 is a line 3-3 of 2;

Fig. 4 is a agmentary section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

fragmentary section taken on to heat a column of air rislngbetween the Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary section taken on line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a radiator core embodying another form of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on line 77 of Fi 6;

Fig. 8 is a ragmentary plan view of a radiator core embodying still another form of the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the radiator core shown in Fig. 8.

Referring for the present to Figs. 1 to 5, lnclusive, wherein I have shown a radiator core embodying one form of the invention, the reference characters 10 and 11 designate spaced headers or tanks which may be formed of any suitable material, but are preferably cast or molded. The tanks 10 and 11 communicate with each other through a plurality of tubes 12 which are preferably formed from relatively thin sheet metal. the tubes being of elongated cross section in this instance. It Wlll be noted that One wall of each of the tanks 10 and 11 is provided with a plurality of apertures 14 through which the tubes 12 communicate with the interiors of the tanks. The tubes are preferably secured to each of the tanks by means comprising a relatively thin metallic plate 16 to whichthe tubes are soldered, the plate being soldered or otherwise sccured to the tank. Soldered or otherwise secured to the tubes 12 are a plurality of relatively thin metallic fins 18, each fin 18 being provided with a plurality of apertures 19 through which the tubes 12 project. thin walled tubes 12 and the relatively thin fins 18 facilitate the exchange of heat from a fluid within the tubes to the air. When the improved radiator core is employed in connection with household heating apparatus, or the like. the heating fluid is preferably supplied to either of the-tanks 10 and 11 through a pipe 20 screw-threaded into the tank, the heating fluid being withdrawn from the radiator core through a second pipe 20 screw-threaded into the other tank. Obviously, steam, hot water or the equivalent, may be circulated through the radiator core tubes 12. q 1 The radiator core is preferably provided The through slots 26 formed in the rein orcing side member. It will be noted that the slots 26 extend longitudinally of the reinforcing members 23 and that the tank 11 may move relative to the tank 10. This construction is advantageous in that the tubes 12 shorten .and elongate with greater rapidity and to a greater extent than the side members 23 as the heating fluid is brought directly into contact therewith. Also. the tubes 12 are generally formed'from a different metal than the side members 23 and thus there will be an unequal expansion and contraction between the tubes and the side members even when both the tubes and side members are subjected to the same temperatures.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 wherein I have shown another form of the invention embodied in a radiator core, the reference characters 30 and 31 designate two spaced tanks which have substantially the same functions as the tanks 10 and 11 shown in Fig. 1. The tanks 30 and 31 communicate with each other through a plurality of tubes 33 which are formed from relatively thin sheet metal and are provided with fins 34 extending transversely of the tubes and preferably soldered thereto. The tanks 30 and 31 are preferably connected to each other by reinforcing side bars, one of which is shown at 35, the bar 35 being preferably rigidly secured to the tank 30by screws 36 or the equivalent. It will be noted that throughout the greater portion of its length, the bar 35 is substantially channel shaped .in cross section so that it engages the top and bottom surfaces of the tanks 30 and 31. The end of the bar 35 which is associated with the tank 31 is provided with an extension or arm 38 which is bent at 39 to extend at an angle to the remainder of the bar. The extreme end of the arm 38 is preferably secured to the tank 31 by screws or by solder as indicated at 40. It will be noted that the bar 38 is spaced from the tank 31 from the bend 39 therein to the oint where it is attached to the tank. he channel shaped portion of the bar 35 is preferably held in close proximity to the tank 31 by means comprising a clip 42 embracing the bar 35 and attached to the upper and lower surfaces ofthe tank 31 by screws 45 or the equivalent.

It is apparent that the tubes 33are relatively free to expand or contract and that they .may displace the tank 31 relative to the tank 30, the movement of the tank 31 beinv'compensated for by the bent arms 38. 0 course, it is understood that the arms It will be noted that the bar 55 is substan-- tially channel shaped in cross section throughout the greater portion of-its length so that it engages the top and bottom of the tanks and 51. It will also be noted that the ends of the bar are rigidly secured to the tanks 50 and 51 by screws 57 and 58, respectively. Intermediate its ends the bar 55 has its flanges cut away and its web is corrugated as indicated at 60. This construction permits the tanks 50 and 51 to be displaced relative to each other during the expansion and contraction of its tubes 53, as the corrugated web 60 is of such dimensions that it will readily elongate or shorten when the tubes 53 elongate or shorten respectively.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without 'departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction. arrangement and combination of parts heroin shown and described or uses mentioned.

'What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. A radiator core comprising spaced tanks, tubularmembers extending between the tanks and communicating therewith, a reinforcing member having one of its ends rigidly secured to one of the'tanks and having the other of its ends provided with a relatively flexible portion adapted to engage the other tank, and means secured to said close proximity to said other tank.

radiator core comprising spacedother tank for retaining said flexible end in members change in length because of teml'ng at least one of its ends bent to form a perature variations. yielding portion permitting relative dis- 4. A radiator core comprising spaced placement between the tanks. I tanks, tubular members interposed between In testimony whereof, I have hereunto 5 the tanks and communicating therewith, a signed my name.

plurality of spaced bars having their ends secured to the tanks, each of said bars hav- ARTHUR B. MODINE. 

